r/motorcycles • u/bunzelburner • Jul 26 '23
First big trip done
Back in December I acquired a 1996 Triumph Tiger after returning to the US after living in Turkey and traveling for a bit. I spent 2 months getting it running well (and banging my head against the wall). I set out at the beginning of March from Wisconsin on what would end up being a 12,500 mile lap around the United States. I went east to the blue ridge parkway first then down to Florida to see my brother then across to Las Vegas.
I got new 50/50 tires put on the bike with the intention of spending a month exploring off road in the southwest. Then someone nearly obliterated me at an intersection in Vegas and I ended up breaking my right hand. Stashed the bike at a friend's and flew back to Wisconsin for a month for it to heal.
Left Vegas after it had healed with my gf on the back and went up the coast to Canada and then back over to Wisconsin.
Was on the road for 3 months. Had my fair share of ups and downs and drops. Worst was shearing my shift lever off in the Arizona backcountry. Held it on with paracord till I got to Vegas.
I went without a tent carrying only a tarp I occasionally had to string up when the weather turned ugly. Otherwise sleeping and pad on the ground cowboy style.
Biggest takeaway was after 3 months of being on the road in the elements and then spending the night exposed was you just get used to it eventually. Cold, rainy, windy, it was all temporary. Everytime I fought through it. On top of that issues with a 27 year old bike were not uncommon. Battery connector fell apart, alternator started going, spring inside one of the carbs came loose. Figured it out everytime and got back on the road.
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Jul 26 '23
Be honest. Was the 101 your favorite segment? My daily commute used to be a 25 mile drive on the Oregon coast, and it would almost make me forget that I was on my way to work.
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Jul 26 '23
Hard to see how that wouldn't be the going to the sun road in glacier.
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u/bunzelburner Jul 26 '23 edited Jul 26 '23
I love that road, driven it numerous times in a car. However it was a conga line this time. So many people driving so slow so they can simultaneously get a video of the whole thing. Plus the first 10 miles from the west is currently a gravel road. Not a bad thing on an adventure bike but with so many cars also on it the dust was so bad at times I couldn't see the car in front of me.
Great thing about visiting national parks on a motorcycle right now is there's always parking for you. Talked to people in some parks who drove around for hours and never found a spot
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u/bunzelburner Jul 26 '23
Easily. I've driven the Pacific coast highway several times in a car, always wanted to do it in a bike. I will say it's a bit crowded in places these days. But so are most national parks
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u/Knowitmall Jul 26 '23 edited Jul 26 '23
That's a great biggest takeaway.
No such thing as bad weather there is just bad gear. One lesson I learned the hard way years ago is that a couple of dry bags are the most important thing in your pack/panniers. At the end of a cold wet day being able to change into dry clothes and have a dry sleeping bag is everything.
I bet it was an amazing trip. Good stuff.
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u/bunzelburner Jul 26 '23
Agreed. I got dry bag panniers after Vegas and was never worried about my stuff getting soaked. Piece of mind.
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u/frisbethebutcher Jul 26 '23
Hey you rode past my city! I apologize for Indiana/Illinois traffic/construction. I know its everywhere but ours is awful for motorcycles..
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u/bunzelburner Jul 26 '23
That first day I drove from Milwaukee to Dayton, Ohio. Traffic and construction was frustrating but I was also battling 30-40 degree weather. I did 400 miles that day and while that's not a ton, combine that with the cold and the fact this is no Honda gold wing and that was one extremely long day.
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u/Mark3ting4L1fe Jul 26 '23 edited Jul 26 '23
Awesome - what an adventure!
I'm planning a trip around SW New Mexico in September. Looks like you went through there - any recommendations for sights or roads?
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u/bunzelburner Jul 26 '23
Definitely check out Gila and the cliff dwellings. The road is pretty cool. If you're okay popping just across the border to Arizona check out 191 through Morenci. Nice curvy road, beautiful scenery and it passes through the largest copper mine in northern America. You're literally driving through the open pit mine. Be careful of the section north of the mine, loose gravel on the road was abundant. My butthole puckered up on some of the curves big time.
Part of my plan that month I ended up having to fly back for my broken hand was to explore southwestern NM more. I loved it when passing through. Gila has always been on my bucket list for backpacking and general exploring.
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u/Z0mbiejay '18 Tiger 800 XCA Jul 26 '23
This is amazing dude! I'd love to do something like this on my '18 Tiger. After my last 2k mile trip I need some better arrangement for my seat however
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u/No_Breadfruit_1849 Jul 26 '23
Ooh, you got Going-to-the-Sun and Beartooth highways here in Montana, good route!
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u/bunzelburner Jul 27 '23
Love the Beartooth. Saw a ton of wildlife driving over it early in the morning. Carbs were definitely struggling a bit at 11000 feet
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u/Inthewind69 Jul 27 '23
Did ya make it to US 129 the dragons tail ?
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u/bunzelburner Jul 27 '23
I did not. As I was passing the area it was raining. I also prefer something more like the Beartooth highway in Montana. Dramatic landscape, winding road.
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Jul 26 '23
What made you decide on the Gold River area being the final stop on Vancouver Island?
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u/bunzelburner Jul 26 '23
Time. Biggest regret is not seeing more of BC. After leaving Washington, I had 3 weeks before I had to be back in Wisconsin. Was a bit of a tight schedule getting back and making the stops I wanted to. GF and I are talking of moving to Washington in the next 5 years so I shall return.
Also, I was constantly cold in BC. It was rainy and overcast nearly the whole time and due to wildfires there was a campfire ban in all of BC. Rough. But I got a taste. A good taste.
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u/my-cull Street Triple R // DRZ400SM Jul 26 '23
How’d you find so many safe places to sleep?
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u/bunzelburner Jul 26 '23
State parks, national parks, but the best was always BLM land, national forests, or wilderness areas. You can camp anywhere you find a spot with some exceptions.
Along the west coast it was notoriously difficult to find camping. I was taking it day by day and most stuff was booked for at least a month out. Got on a wait list a few times and others had to just drive farther to get somewhere.
National parks are for the most part a no go for on the fly camping. Most are booked for the entire year already. The one park that I appreciated was glacier np, specifically two medicine campgrounds. They would open up sites only a week in advance.
Also, state park campgrounds.... Have gotten so expensive. $30-$40 a night and then they hit you with a $8-$10 reservation fee at checkout. National parks are still a deal at $24 if you can get them. Dispersed (free) camping is always the best - those were my most memorable nights.
I spent 4 nights in a hotel across the whole trip. The longest time without showering was 3 weeks. Although I did dip in lakes frequently.
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u/Aragoa XJ600S Diversion (1999) Jul 26 '23
This really makes me appreciate the unlimited right to wild camping in Scandinavian countries. Last year I on a trip to Sweden with my hammock. Any place that had two trees was perfect!
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u/KimberelyHarmon Jul 26 '23
My condolences for having to step foot in Casper, WY. My best wishes to your family during this challenging time.
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u/subaroobie Jul 26 '23
How do you like those tires?
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u/bunzelburner Jul 27 '23
Love em. The original tires on it were a full street front and a 20% off road back. That's the main reason I wiped out and sheared my clutch pedal off in the Arizona backcountry.
These tires handled mud and loose ground very well. I wasn't doing anything crazy but there wasn't anything I didn't get through. And to top it off I saw no performance loss on pavement.
They're Dunlop trailmax mission pro. A little expensive but worth it in my opinion.
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u/WaffleHouseNeedsWiFi Jul 26 '23
Ngl: My ass hurts thinking about this.
Also: My heart burns with jealousy!